Celebrate International Human Rights Day Come celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Wednesday, December 10, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Central Library. Artist Terrry Rosenberg (Colors of War) and author Caryn West (The Trouble with the Alphabet) will join a panel of professionals representing law, medicine, education, and business to dialogue on the inherent potential in words, images, and color to impact human rights. Rosenberg’s “Colors of War” exhibit will be displayed throughout the month of December on the Central Library’s flat panel screens. West will also read from and sign her book The Trouble with the Alphabet as a part of the program. Her book illuminates the world’s injustice through vibrant portraits and poetry. The book highlights twenty-six countries, one for each letter of the alphabet. Each one is chosen to represent a wide range of human rights abuses and injustices that plague the world and prey on the smallest in society—children. Additional activities include a proclamation signing and welcome by the governor of Iowa, a musical performance by the Des Moines Diversity Chorus, displays, art activities, and refreshments. This event is cosponsored by the Des Moines Human Rights Commission, Iowa Council for International Understanding, and the Des Moines Public Library. Iowa Authors to Visit the Central Library Author Rebecca Christian will visit the Central Library on Sunday, December 14, at 2:30 PM to discuss her new book. Neither spring chickens nor doddering old dames, cowriters Rebecca Christian and Katherine Fischer joined pens to write That's Our Story and We're Sticking to It. Accumulated from over forty years of combined writing and publishing experience, this collection of articles and newspaper columns promises to leave you laughing - and crying. The book offers a range of topics and tones: "Feng Phooey" questions whether it really matters which way the commode faces; "Fessing Up" celebrates all those things we delight in privately but deny publicly--from moonwalking in the grocery store to harboring a love of Jean Claude Van Damme movies; and "If It's the Thought That Counts Guys, Then Why Don't You Use Your Heads?" warns men to avoid giving Veg-O-Matics, fishing poles, or French maid aprons to women for Christmas. Whether these slice-of-life articles appear in national venues (The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, and National Public Radio) or regional newspapers and magazines (The Dubuque Telegraph Herald, The Des Moines Register, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel), readers have clamored for years, "When's the book coming out?" Rebecca Christian is a Des Moines-based writer who currently works full-time as a copy editor for a design magazine. She began writing a column for the Telegraph Herald in 1990, and lived in Dubuque from 1989 to 1997. In addition to writing the column, she is a playwright, and has authored and coauthored several books on cooking and travel. Chill Out and Read Families are invited to “Chill Out and Read” this winter at the Des Moines Public Library. Between December 19 and January 30, families may pick up a reading log at their local library. Record the time for every hour that anyone in the family reads. When the family has logged forty hours of reading time, they can turn in their reading log at the library and enter a drawing for a special family prize. Anything counts towards your total, including newspapers, magazines, books, audiobooks, and graphic novels! The Des Moines Public Library’s goal is to get everyone into the reading habit, and winter is the best time of all to cuddle up with a good book! Teens have a special opportunity to help increase their family total on Friday, December 19, at 3:30 PM. The North Side Library will host a Teen Read-In. Teens can come for an afternoon of reading, button making, and hot chocolate drinking. Studies show that the best way for children to get into the habit of reading is to see their role models reading. So this winter, instead of sitting together in the family room to watch a movie, gather up your reading materials and warm blankets, get that fire going, and spend some quality time reading! Join a Book Discussion at the DMPL The Des Moines Public Library has opportunities for those of all ages to discuss a good book this month. Thursday, December 4, 1:00 PM — South Side Library Finding Noel, by Richard Paul Evans will be the topic of this discussion. Bring a holiday cookie or snack to share. Monday, December 8, 3:45 PM — South Side Library Children can discuss The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. Books are available at the information desk. Snacks will be provided. Enter a drawing to win two tickets to the Des Moines Playhouse production. Thursday, December 11, 4:00 PM — Central Library Children grades 3-6 are invited to talk about Swindle, by Gordon Korman. Snacks will be served. Copies of the book are available at the children’s desk. The discussion will take place in Meeting Room Three. Wednesday, December 17, 2:00 PM — East Side Library Discuss Days on the Family Farm, by Carrie Meyer. Treats will be provided. Saturday Specials at the DMPL Saturdays continue to be special at the Des Moines Public Library. Bettie Jane Bibler will tell terrific tales as part of Metro Arts Education on Location on Saturday, December 13, at 10:00 AM at the Central Library. The Franklin Avenue Library will team up with the Des Moines Playhouse to present The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever on Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 AM. Join the actors for a brief presentation and discussion about this holiday classic! There will be a drawing for tickets to the show. Winter Teen Activities at DMPL Gaming Play Wii at the South Side Library on Thursday, December 4, at 3:00 PM. Snacks will be provided. Enjoy a fun afternoon of your favorite video games on Friday, December 5, at 3:30 PM, at the North Side Library. Bring your favorite board or card games to the South Side Library on Thursday, December 11, at 3:00 PM for a fun afternoon of gaming unplugged. Snacks will be provided. Rock out with Rock Band on Thursday, December 18, at 3:00 PM, at the South Side Library. Snacks will be provided. Animanga Club Watch anime episodes on the BIG screen, talk about manga, and have snacks on Tuesday, December 9, at 3:30 PM at the Central Library. Anime episodes are rated TV14. Anyone in grades 8-12 is welcome to meet in Meeting Room Three. For more information contact Brenda at bkfinn@desmoineslibrary.com. Teen Advisory Boards Join the Forest Avenue Library Teen Advisory Board on Tuesday, December 9, at 5:30 PM for book discussions, program planning, and snacks. The Franklin Avenue Teen Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, December 11, at 4:00 PM. Help generate ideas for upcoming programs and discuss a publication just for teens. Bring a friend, and we’ll bring the snacks. Zine Club Teens interested in writing about anime and manga can meet on Tuesday, December 16, at 3:30 PM in Meeting Room Three at the Central Library. For more information e-mail Brenda at bkfinn@desmoineslibrary.com. Literacy in a Different Way Visit the Des Moines Public Library on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:00 PM and take part in Literacy in a Different Way. Talk about your favorite book or audiobook in the Central Library’s Meeting Room One. Preregister for this event by calling (515)283-4152, ext. 3. Problem Gambling a Public Health Issue The national percentage of Americans that gamble is 80 percent, and in Iowa the percentage is even larger, at 88 percent. Learn more about the problems of gambling and how to deal with this issue on Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 AM, at the Central Library. Guest speaker Melanie Mason with MECCA will discuss this important issue in Study Room One. Preregister for this event by calling (515)283-4152, ext 3. Friends of the East Side Library Meeting The Friends of the East Side Library will host a business meeting on Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 AM. The meeting will be followed by a holiday potluck. Everyone is welcome to attend. Computer Classes at the DMPL Thursday, December 11, the Des Moines Public Library has two computer classes to help turn you into a tech-savvy person. You can receive an introduction to the Internet at the South Side Library at 9:00 AM, or learn basic Internet searching at the Central Library at 3:00 PM.